Harambee Stars will face the Gambia in a World Cup qualifier tonight in Ivory Coast.
It will be Benni McCarthy’s first match as Kenyan coach after his appointment to the role earlier this month.
What McCarthy said ahead of Gambia vs Kenya
Harambee Stars are looking for their second win in Group F but the Gambia will be a difficult opponent because of their star-studded squad.
Kenya struggled to win competitive matches under former coach Engin Firat but there’s excitement following McCarthy’s arrival.
“From what I saw today [in training], we can definitely achieve something against Gambia. No football matches are easy, it is going to it extremely difficult but I’m positive, I’m excited about the squad that we have assembled and the quality we saw in training,” McCarthy said per FKF.
“There’s always pressure on football matches. If you become a manager, pressure comes with it, but it is something I try to embrace, I try to go with it but I’m excited because I think we have a really good team, we have exciting players.”
Kenya is fourth with five points after four games, five behind leaders Ivory Coast. They will host Gabon on Sunday, and they must win both games to qualify.
The game against Gabon will be the first Harambee Stars are playing at home for the first time in four years.
What Kenyan players said about Gambia clash
Captain Michael Olunga will lead the line tonight and will need to be clinical.
Gambia have a great squad coached by former Gor Mahia tactician Jonathan McKinstry. Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh will spearhead their attack.
Left-back Eric Ouma and Mohammed Bajaber are positive ahead of the game.
“Tomorrow’s match is very important for us, we have to win. If we play right, then we are going to win the match. The opponents are good, they have players who play in good leagues, so we cannot underestimate them,” Ouma said.
Bajaber is one of the five locally-based players included in McCarthy’s team for the two matches.
“The atmosphere is very good, morale is high and we’re looking to pick up all three points,” Bajaber said.
Winners of all nine groups qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the best runners-up have a chance to qualify via a playoff tournament.
[MSN]
